'post-support' originates from the combination of 'post,' meaning 'a long, sturdy piece of timber or metal set upright in the ground,' and 'support,' meaning 'to bear all or part of the weight of something.'

'post' and 'support' have been used in English since the Middle Ages, with 'post' deriving from Old English 'post' and 'support' from Old French 'supporter.'

Initially, 'post-support' referred to any support for a post, but it has evolved to specifically denote structural elements in construction.